Like it or not, this is the biggest regular season game of the year. National TV on CBS, winner probably moves to #1 in the RPI and has a decent shot at a #1 seed.

Jimmer put up 43 when BYU took the first meeting at home 71-58.

It will also give a Jimmer a chance to make his claim for NPOY.

Jimmer will have a good day, but I like SDSU in this one.

I agree with prescott. If Jimmer goes for something like 35 to 40-plus in a Cougar win, the Wooden and Naismith awards might as well be inscribed with "Jim" this afternoon because they'll become half his. Nolan Smith would then need to come up with a 30-point plus game of his own in Chapel Hill in a Duke win next Saturday to even have a chance. Although, I do think Smith, similar to J.J. Redick in 2004-05, would still pick up either the Rupp or NABC POY award (assuming Nolan finishes strong). Another big factor for POY will obviously be the conference tournaments.

Yes, I am a Blue Devil admirer. That is an understatement. But, when you examine Smith's resume, I think he has done quite enough to warrant the major POY awards (Wooden, Naismith and Rupp) on his own. Smith's leadership and on-court performance in the absence of Kyrie Irving, a probable All-American if not for the early-December toe injury and the predicted No. 1 pick in this summer's NBA Draft if he should be so inclined to enter it, has been nothing short of astounding. Smith was forced into an unfamiliar, unnatural position that he's played only briefly in his career at Duke -- and the last time he did hold point guard duties for the Blue Devils, during the the 2008-09 season, he lost his spot mid-season to Jon Scheyer after Elliot Williams entered the starting lineup. To think that Smith is currently on his way to becoming the first player in ACC history to lead the conference in both points per game and assists is even more remarkable. He stands at 21.4 points per contest and 5.3 assists. Think about that for a moment. Nobody has done that. Not Phil Ford. Not David Thompson. Not Michael Jordan. Not Mark Price. Not Kenny Anderson. Not Chris Corchiani. Not Stephon Marbury. Not Jason Williams. Not Chris Paul.

So much more could be said of Smith; however, I won't go further. Mainly because if Jimmer wins the major NPOTY awards, I can find fault in that either. It will be well-deserved.

dave wrote:Like it or not, this is the biggest regular season game of the year. National TV on CBS, winner probably moves to #1 in the RPI and has a decent shot at a #1 seed.

The biggest game of the year will be Duke-North Carolina from Chapel Hill, live on CBS at 8 p.m. prime time next Saturday; however, I am looking forward to BYU and SDSU this afternoon. Jimmer reminds me of a combination of Jeff Fryer and Bo Kimble, both, of course, of Loyola Marymount fame. He's the most exciting event -- and I say "event" because his point totals and limitless shooting range are an absolute spectacle -- college basketball has witnessed, arguably, since the Fab Five or Lethal Weapon 3 at Georgia Tech. (Lethal Weapon 3 was comprised of Kenny Anderson, Dennis Scott and Brian Oliver in the early '90s, and they were the deadliest and most thrilling collection of outside shooters and points-in-bunches scorers on one team in history. It's how "The Thriller Dome" in Atlanta got its tag.)

And neither SDSU nor BYU has a chance of acquiring a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Cleveland Cavaliers will win the World Series before that happens.

Yeah not seeing the potential for a #1 seed coming out of this game unless some major downfalls happen on numerous fronts.

Jimmer mania in about 20 minutes.

ytownfootball;692597 wrote:Yeah not seeing the potential for a #1 seed coming out of this game unless some major downfalls happen on numerous fronts.

If the winner of this game wins their conference tourament also, there is no way that team will not be a#1 seed

I can not wait for this game. These are 2 of the best teams in the country. IMHO, I think San Diego St. is the best team in the country, we shall see though.

You're assuming logic applies during seeding NCAA participants...it doesn't always go down that way, and probably won't either.

Time and time again mid-majors from traditionally weak conferences dont get seeded where they should. Maybe having 2 great teams will help. But, theMWC doesnt boast a whole lot of tradition historically in basketball. I could see these guys getting fucked over.

If San Diego State wins out, they have a very good chance for a #1 seed.

Laley23 wrote:Time and time again mid-majors from traditionally weak conferences dont get seeded where they should. Maybe having 2 great teams will help. But, theMWC doesnt boast a whole lot of tradition historically in basketball. I could see these guys getting fucked over.

Similar to Gonzaga in 2001-02, that featured Dan Dickau, Blake Stepp, Zach Gourde and Corey Violette. That was a very good team and were as high as No. 3 in the polls near the end of the year. The Zags got a six-seed in the NCAAs.

However, perhaps Gonzaga justified themselves as a six by losing to the Wyoming Cowboys on the first day of the tournament.

Leonardo wrote:If San Diego State wins out, they have a very good chance for a #1 seed.

I apologize, but no, they don't. History would indicate this, and, more times than not, history is correct.

There is a greater chance of Diebler winning player of the year nationally. With a crop of teams like Kansas, Ohio State, Duke, Pitt and Texas hovering around the top, it's just not going to happen. And there's always the chance that Purdue finishes without a blemish and wins the Big Ten tourney, and then the Boilermakers are in the conversation (depending on what the previously mentioned teams do).

wghfan;692626 wrote:I can not wait for this game. These are 2 of the best teams in the country. IMHO, I think San Diego St. is the best team in the country, we shall see though.

going to have to disagree that a non traditional power from a traditionally weak conference is the best team in the nation.

ccrunner609;692653 wrote:Yeah because Butler didnt prove this wrong 10 months ago..........smh.

oh they were the best team in the nation?

Kawhi Leonard is in the top 10 in Def Rebound % and top 50 Offensively
I think that will be a huge factor in this game. BYU won't be able to keep him from picking up buckets off rebounds.

I like what BYU is doing, SDSU is doubling Jimmer across half court. Gonna have a bunch of wide open looks at the top of the key off the screen.

Jimmer Fredette=Pete Maravich

ccrunner609 wrote:Why is Jimmer bringing the ball up.

Well, for one, he is their point guard.

Maravich isn't the best comparison, just because the Pistol scored with such flamboyance and played with a flair that made even Earl "The Pearl" Monroe envious. As a pure scorer without a conscience, Jimmer reminds me of Brent Price, who played at Oklahoma in the early '90s. Scored 58 in a game against Loyola Marymount once. I think the final was like 172-121, Oklahoma haha.

What are your guys thoughts on Jimmer's NBA potential?

I know its been talked about before probably but I was curious.

ccrunner609;692658 wrote:yeah he is a stud.

Why is Jimmer bringing the ball up...they need to run him off some screens from the weak side.

He is the PG. And he typically gets his own shot. Ive seen that more than off of screens this season. Their best offense is him getting his own shot, if doubled finding the open guy. More effective and tougher to stop than him coming off screens.

devil1197;692668 wrote:What are your guys thoughts on Jimmer's NBA potential?

I know its been talked about before probably but I was curious.

He will have a place, but Im just not sure much past that. The NBA is SOOO athletic, especially outside the big guys. I think his range and passing ability find him on a roster. But not much more.

ccrunner609;692673 wrote:But when you are playing a team that has athletes like SDSU and he isnt getting open with the ball, you have to make adjustments. I know he is the PG but in a game like this he shouldnt.

He has 13 points and 4 or so assists with his team leading on the road against a Top 10 team.

I think he is just fine where he is.

ccrunner609;692677 wrote:he is 5-12

He is also pulling up from half court and had taken two poor shot selections that were not needed in the offense.

He is 3-4 from 3P and his 4 assists are due to him drawing the defense and setting up his teammates with wide open shots.